Free Mediation Training for Court Volunteers in Pinal County

(Tucson, Ariz. - October 13, 2009) The Attorney General's Office Civil Rights Division, in partnership with the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Court, is offering a free, 40-hour mediation course to train Pinal County volunteers to help resolve local court disputes.

The 40-hour mediation training will be offered in Casa Grande, November 17, 18, 20, 23 and 24.

Mediators are neutral parties who help disputing parties reach agreements in various types of cases. Mediation is a valuable alternative to litigation; it can save time and money and reduce stress.

These training courses are open to the public. In exchange for the free training, those who successfully complete the course must agree to mediate a certain number of disputes for the court on a volunteer basis. Each court has its own requirements and application procedures to become a volunteer mediator. Disputes to be mediated can include small claims, commercial, truancy and other types of cases, depending on the court program.

The Attorney General's Office has been training mediators for the courts since 1984 and has its own volunteer mediation program for resolving civil rights cases.

Training sessions will run each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and include a working lunch. Participants must complete all five days of a scheduled training to become eligible to mediate for the courts. Please note that most courts require volunteers to successfully complete an application process, which includes background checks, to be accepted as a volunteer. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

For more information or to register for one of these training sessions, please contact Adam Glaser, Conflict Resolution Program Coordinator, Arizona Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division. Adam can be reached by phone at (520)628-6782 or by e-mail at Adam.Glaser@azag.gov.